CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue
Construction	$ 385,744	$ 431,101	$ 748,803	$ 784,393
Large project construction	255,918	213,320	648,645	513,478
Construction materials	86,782	83,171	175,754	165,083
Sales of Real Estate	38	986	5,055	7,029
Total revenue	728,482	728,578	1,578,257	1,469,983
Cost of revenue
Construction	352,471	372,561	688,989	696,911
Large project construction	198,104	187,763	540,343	443,965
Construction materials	76,798	73,617	166,720	154,329
Real estate	10	744	4,254	5,941
Total cost of revenue	627,383	634,685	1,400,306	1,301,146
Gross profit	101,099	93,893	177,951	168,837
Selling, general and administrative expenses	41,280	39,112	125,274	121,277
Gain on sales of property and equipment	1,622	5,598	6,493	11,572
Operating income	61,441	60,379	59,170	59,132
Other income (expense)
Interest income	485	476	2,140	2,295
Interest expense	(2,561)	(3,418)	(8,570)	(7,653)
Equity in income of affiliates	1,481	1,881	380	1,443
Other income (expense), net	2,013	(1,833)	3,866	(1,951)
Total other income (expense)	1,418	(2,894)	(2,184)	(5,866)
Income before provision for income taxes	62,859	57,485	56,986	53,266
Provision for income taxes	17,113	15,109	15,440	11,973
Net income	45,746	42,376	41,546	41,293
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,625)	(5,908)	(14,249)	(8,886)
Net income attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 37,121	$ 36,468	$ 27,297	$ 32,407
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 14)
Basic	$ 0.96	$ 0.94	$ 0.71	$ 0.84
Diluted	$ 0.94	$ 0.93	$ 0.70	$ 0.83
Weighted average shares of common stock
Basic	38,518	38,172	38,418	38,092
Diluted	39,141	38,598	39,013	38,428
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.39